Since Albright and Alvernia began playing each other in men's basketball 24 seasons ago, Wednesday night's game at the Crusaders' Physical Education Center will be the most intriguing matchup.

With six games left in the regular season, Alvernia (10-2, 15-3) and Albright (9-3, 16-3) are 1-2 in the Commonwealth Conference.

The crosstown rivals appear headed for the conference playoffs, which hasn't happened in the same season since the Crusaders moved to the Commonwealth in 2009-10. That's why there's heightened interest in the game and why a capacity crowd is expected for the men's-women's doubleheader.

"I think it'll be pretty crazy," Alvernia coach Mike Miller said. "Even if it was us and Albright just playing to get out of last place, it would be a nice atmosphere. This just adds to it.

"I've been getting a lot of calls from people who want to come to the game."

The Crusaders are on quite a roll, winning eight straight since a two-point loss at NYU in early January. They lead the conference in scoring defense (63.5) and field goal percentage defense (.400).

They used that smothering defense to hold the Lions to 34.2 percent shooting in a 74-68 victory in December at Bollman Center.

"We probably underestimated them a little bit," Albright coach Rick Ferry said. "They came in here and they beat us in every facet of the game. There was no question they were the better team. They outplayed us. They were better offensively and defensively.

"It's not an accident they're in first place. They're playing better than anybody in our conference."

The Lions have played especially well the last two weeks, beating Lycoming, Widener, Arcadia and Messiah behind 6-4 senior Dave Singleton, who was named the conference player of the week Monday for the second straight time.

Singleton ranks in the top five in the Commonwealth in scoring (fourth, 15.5), rebounding (second, 9.3), assists (second, 5.8) and steals (third, 2.4).

"We obviously have to contain Singleton," Miller said.

Albright has to contain wings Kahlil Bennett (15.4 average) and Terrance Bridgers (13.7), who rank in the top 11 in the conference in scoring. The Lions also have to contend with powerful 6-4 center Brian Parker, who leads the Commonwealth in rebounding (9.9) and also scores 12.7 a game.

Alvernia leads the series 13-11, including 4-3 in conference play. Their most memorable meeting came three years ago when Adam Van Zelst, now an Albright assistant, scored in the final second to give the Lions a 111-110 double-overtime win at Bollman Center.

"We try to tell our players that it's just another game," Ferry said, "but everybody knows it's Albright-Alvernia. That's as good as it gets around here. Them coming into the conference has been tremendous for the local basketball scene."

Alvernia won the conference title two years ago, and Albright won it three years ago. One of them could very well win it this year.

"I'm not going to try to stop our emotions," Miller said. "The students are having a whiteout. The school is pumped up for it, but you can't get too high or too low. We still have five games left (after Wednesday). A lot can happen."

Parker changes Miller's mind

Alvernia coach Mike Miller has a different opinion of 6-4 junior Brian Parker than he did when preseason practice began.

In fact, Parker didn't even start the first two games of the season. Not until he had 10 points and 15 rebounds at Lycoming did he crack the lineup. Now, he's so valuable to the Crusaders that teammate Lamont Clark calls him Alvernia's best player.

"I wasn't too high on him," Miller said. "He's earned it. He became a basketball junkie. His first two years, his motor would run halfway. Now his motor is running at practice, at games, the whole 9 yards."

He began last season as a starter, but he was benched and played sparingly the second half of the season. The reduced playing time might have stemmed from his adjustment to center, a new position for him.

Parker played small forward at Chichester and power forward early in his Alvernia career.

"In the beginning of this season, he (Miller) told me that he felt that he hadn't changed me in my first two years here," Parker said. "I felt like that was motivation for me. I had to buy into the position change. I was used to playing outside. I had to get used to going up against bigger guys."

Harris avoids scare

Albright freshman Kelecia Harris, who suffered an injury Saturday, is expected to play Wednesday at Alvernia, Lions coach Janice Luck said Monday.

The 6-0 Harris fell to the floor with 9.9 seconds left in Albright's 66-40 loss to Messiah and was writhing in pain. Luck initially feared that she had torn an ACL in her right knee, but Harris was diagnosed with a sprained ankle.

Harris was carried off the court by two of her teammates and needed crutches afterwards, which was precautionary, Luck said. Harris didn't use crutches Monday and is expected to practice today.

Losing Harris for an extended period of time would damage the Lions' playoff hopes in the Commonwealth Conference. She's first in the conference in blocked shots (2.3) and field goal percentage (59.3), second in rebounding (10.4) and ninth in scoring (12.0).

She was named the conference player of the week Monday.

No advance sale

Tickets for the Albright-Alvernia doubleheader Wednesday at the Crusaders' 1,500-seat Physical Education Center will not be sold in advance.

Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. before the women's game at 6 p.m. and the men's game at 8.